We have a 2005 MPV, it's great. Loads of room, back seat folds flat if you need the extra storage, and the configuration is more "small van" than "station wagon with extra seats" so the ride height is better. We bought our when it was 10 years old, $8.5K from turners (via Trademe) vs $11-12K from a dealer. We put the two child seats in the middle row, the back row is a little squished. But, yeah, you end up being one of those people who drives a people mover.

You get over the paranoia after a few years, probably due to the child induced parental exhaustion.

Due to the popularity of the SUV in the NZ market, a quick look of Trade Me in the Canterbury search criteria has Mitsubishi Outlanders and Mazda CX-7's at your price point having around 200,000km's on them.

Toyota Klugers at the same price point are around the 100,000 - 120,000km mark.

I've got 2 kids myself, now in the early years of school. But when they were younger we had a 2006 Civic sedan and could easily fit in the boot of that a 3 wheeled mountain buggy, and the assorted other bits and pieces baby needs when out and about. It may have been a small car, but the boot was\is huge (in terms of volume, around 450 litres) and with the low lip on it, very easy to get stuff in and out of. Safe too, with front and side airbags. Economical as well. Doesn't of course, have the 7 seat capability.

We have a 2005 MPV, it's great. Loads of room, back seat folds flat if you need the extra storage, and the configuration is more "small van" than "station wagon with extra seats" so the ride height is better. We bought our when it was 10 years old, $8.5K from turners (via Trademe) vs $11-12K from a dealer. We put the two child seats in the middle row, the back row is a little squished. But, yeah, you end up being one of those people who drives a people mover.

You get over the paranoia after a few years, probably due to the child induced parental exhaustion.

Nothing wrong with people movers, ignore that BS like the type spouted by Mr J Clarkson who would not know a car from a wheelbarrow. They are comfortable, versatile vehicles which are great for families. They have acres of space

something SUV's do not have lots of. They are great for holidays and great for the disabled.

MikeRetired IT Manager. The views stated in my posts are my personal views and not that of any other organisation.

Nothing wrong with people movers, ignore that BS like the type spouted by Mr J Clarkson who would not know a car from a wheelbarrow. They are comfortable, versatile vehicles which are great for families. They have acres of space

something SUV's do not have lots of. They are great for holidays and great for the disabled.

As someone who has traditionally owned gutless hatchbacks, and for a brief period, a 19 year old MR2, the MPV is pretty grunty and has loads of room in the back. You could fit a wheelbarrow in there with the back seat down flat.

Nothing wrong with people movers, ignore that BS like the type spouted by Mr J Clarkson who would not know a car from a wheelbarrow. They are comfortable, versatile vehicles which are great for families. They have acres of space

something SUV's do not have lots of. They are great for holidays and great for the disabled.

As someone who has traditionally owned gutless hatchbacks, and for a brief period, a 19 year old MR2, the MPV is pretty grunty and has loads of room in the back. You could fit a wheelbarrow in there with the back seat down flat.

If we were starting our family now a Mazda MPV would be on our list that is for sure.

MikeRetired IT Manager. The views stated in my posts are my personal views and not that of any other organisation.

My first post here, so please excuse if I miss following any forum rules.

I've been doing some intense research to get the best value for our money on a used SUV we're looking to buy from a dealer here in Chch.

It is going to be an upgrade (in terms of space, at least) from my wife's current hatchback, a 2005 Nissan Pulsar. The car will be ferrying my wife and new baby. So I am paranoid about it being a safe car.

Also, the Pulsar is suddenly ridiculously space deprived as the front passenger seat has to be moved and leaned so far forward to fit the baby's capsule on the rear seat that the car is literally down to being able to accommodate 2 adults (1 driver, 1 passenger directly behind). And with a collapsed mountain buggy in the boot (barely fitting in), there hardly any bootspace left to carry anything else.

Wife completely refuses to be seen driving any sort of car that barely resembles a people mover. So most Honda Streams, Odysseys, Toyota Wish, Ipsum, Estima, Mazda Premacy, MPV are ruled out.

The budget is 10k (ideal) to 12k(max!). I am trying to find a good balance between having a late model car (safer) and low kms (lesser general wear and tear).

So far on my shortlist are (in order of personal perference):

1. Toyota Kluger2. Honda CRV3. Suzuki Escudo4. Nissan Murano5. Mazda CX-7 Any feedback on these cars would be highly appreciated. Also let me know if there are other sensible options I am not yet looking at (I am just using the filters I just mentioned and looking at TradeMe and have been to a couple of car yards so far). Specific question about the Mazda CX-7 - I am considering a 2.3Litre Turbo petrol version. May seem like over the top performance (I know), but it has a 5 star safety rating and I am not terribly worried about naysayers about its fuel economy. However, I have no experience with turbos, nor do I know anybody who has owned this model (2007) or any turbo petrol. Is it incredibly unreliable and expensive to fix? Is that reason enough to strike it off this list? I am looking to buy in the next 10 days or so. Really looking forward to members' feedback. Thanks.

Get the one with the lowest emissions. SUVs are the worst in this respect. Despite cars being generally lower emissions these days, more kiwis buying SUVs because petrol got cheaper means our emissions are actually going up regardless.

____________________________________________________I'm on a high fibre diet.

I just sold my parents' Honda CRV 2007 (150,000km) for 11k. Had numerous offers around 10k. So 10k - 11k seemed to be the going rate for a CRV of that mileage and year.

If you could get past the look of the Odyssey, then it's not a bad option. My parents bought a brand new one from Honda in 2000. Sold it in 2014 with around 400,000km on the clock. That was my parents' car right through my childhood, and I was never embarrassed about it being a people mover.

You aren't usually going to get as much bang for your buck when buying through a dealer, on a second hand vehicle. Is there a reason you are buying through a dealer, not unless they are importing second hand vehicles? The 12k budget means it is likely to be fairly old or high kms. For that age I would stick to Japanese, something like Toyota, Mazda etc, which are known to be reliable.

I am about to sell a 2007 Outlander, done about 192,000kms. Been a great car, very nice to drive and reasonably fuel efficient. We are looking for $12K so if you are in ChCh let me know if you want to take a look.

It is currently in with groomers and getting a new battery put in. It has been well looked after and has a new set of front tyres. Really good knick aside from the odd minor scratch you would expect on a car that has done almost 200kms.

It is a Jap import tho, and has the Japanese head unit. However I have just learned of these guys (www.oemaudio.co.nz) who can replace the head unit with a NZ version for about $7-800 apparently. Wish I had known about them 3yrs ago when I bought this car! So worth considering them if you buy an import and want NZ radio, maps/nav etc.

Anyway - hope I haven't broken any rules here, just thought I would mention it since it seems to fit your requirements.

We have a 2005 MPV, it's great. Loads of room, back seat folds flat if you need the extra storage, and the configuration is more "small van" than "station wagon with extra seats" so the ride height is better. We bought our when it was 10 years old, $8.5K from turners (via Trademe) vs $11-12K from a dealer. We put the two child seats in the middle row, the back row is a little squished. But, yeah, you end up being one of those people who drives a people mover.

You get over the paranoia after a few years, probably due to the child induced parental exhaustion.

Nothing wrong with people movers, ignore that BS like the type spouted by Mr J Clarkson who would not know a car from a wheelbarrow. They are comfortable, versatile vehicles which are great for families. They have acres of space

something SUV's do not have lots of. They are great for holidays and great for the disabled.

I don't think that's a very accurate comment about Clarkson (Who it's pretty obvious you have a personal dislike for).

A lot of Clarksons (and other general critism) is about things like poor suspension (I've personally seen at least 3 people movers on their side) and poor looks etc.

The newer people are a lot better than they used to be, but in the OP's budget, he is looking at an older one with very high KM's.

We have a 2005 MPV, it's great. Loads of room, back seat folds flat if you need the extra storage, and the configuration is more "small van" than "station wagon with extra seats" so the ride height is better. We bought our when it was 10 years old, $8.5K from turners (via Trademe) vs $11-12K from a dealer. We put the two child seats in the middle row, the back row is a little squished. But, yeah, you end up being one of those people who drives a people mover.

You get over the paranoia after a few years, probably due to the child induced parental exhaustion.

Nothing wrong with people movers, ignore that BS like the type spouted by Mr J Clarkson who would not know a car from a wheelbarrow. They are comfortable, versatile vehicles which are great for families. They have acres of space

something SUV's do not have lots of. They are great for holidays and great for the disabled.

I don't think that's a very accurate comment about Clarkson (Who it's pretty obvious you have a personal dislike for).

A lot of Clarksons (and other general critism) is about things like poor suspension (I've personally seen at least 3 people movers on their side) and poor looks etc.

The newer people are a lot better than they used to be, but in the OP's budget, he is looking at an older one with very high KM's.

Clarkson described folks who buy people movers are those for whom the kids are grown up and they are just waiting to die.

As for tip overs the same can be said for SUV's, try to drive them, van or MPV like a Lotus you will be in trouble.

MikeRetired IT Manager. The views stated in my posts are my personal views and not that of any other organisation.

I'd take a wagon every day of the week and twice on Sundays. The Outback is a fantastic vehicle.

Space wise it's the same, but an SUV you drive higher, and if you need to load kids into car seats your back doesn't hurt as much. Wagons generally have much better fuel economy. Must be to do with wind resistance and maybe a bit of weight. There are wagons which are supposedly 7 seaters but I wouldn't put anyone in there, if you get rear ended by a heavier vehicle those dummies will be pancake.